Over the recent weekend, Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction made history with its remarkable sales. The standout item was a premiere Babe Ruth rookie card, a 1916 M101-5 blank back card graded 5.5 by SGC, which sold for a stunning $630,000. Only seven other examples of this rare card are known within SGC's records. In total, the auction amassed an incredible $11.1 million in sales, with seven items fetching over $100,000 each (including the buyer's premium).
One of the highlights of the auction was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, graded PSA 10 and in impeccable condition. This card achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021, solidifying its status as a sought-after collectible.
The auction also showcased an impressive collection of vintage, still-sealed boxes. Among them was a 1965 Topps Baseball wax box containing cards from the second, third, and fourth series. Originating from the collection of Adolph "Herky" Rupp Jr., a descendant of the legendary Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, this box was auctioned for a staggering $336,000 after being authenticated by BBCE. Rupp Jr.'s collection also included a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which fetched a price of $186,000.
Furthermore, the auction featured several unopened boxes from a newly discovered collection acquired towards the end of the previous year. Notable sales from this collection included a 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box, which fetched $105,000, a 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box, setting a new benchmark at $99,000, and a 1973 Topps Baseball 3rd series 500-count vending box, which sold for $18,600. As more items from this collection are sold in the coming months, it is expected to reach seven figures in total sales.
In addition to the sealed boxes, the auction offered nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards amassed by Mike Greenbaum during their time of origin. The top performer among these was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, which sold for an impressive $117,000. Another noteworthy sale was a similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set, which fetched $69,000.
Among the individual card sales, a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 with a Piedmont advertising back, sold for $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached $80,533, while a 1962 Topps Manager's Dream card, featuring both Mantle and Mays, sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were also up for auction, including the highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan's chips discs, which sold for $54,000. The 16th-ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set garnered $93,000, and an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000. These sales highlight the diverse and valuable selections available at the Winter Sports Card Auction.
In conclusion, the recent Winter Sports Card Auction at Heritage Auctions achieved historic sales with the notable sale of a Babe Ruth rookie card and a Gem Mint Michael Jordan rookie card. The auction also featured impressive vintage sealed boxes and autographed cards, attracting high bids from avid collectors. With a total of $11.1 million in sales and a wide range of valuable items, this auction solidifies Heritage Auctions' position as a leading destination for sports card collectors and enthusiasts.
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